Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
The San Francisco area woodworker Arthur Espenet Carpenter was one of the most celebrated figures in the postwar American Studio Furniture movement. Like George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, Wendell Castle and other craftsmen of the era, Carpenter built furniture both as a means of creative expression and for the simple personal fulfillment of making a thing well. The excellence of their work stood in high relief against the mass-produced goods made of synthetic materials that became prevalent in the mid-20th century. Born in New York City during the Jazz Age, Carpenter earned a degree in economics from Dartmouth College and initially intended to become an accountant, like his father. But after serving four years in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II, Carpenter had a change of heart about entering the business world. Back in New York, he became an Asian-arts dealer but finally found a true sense of direction when visiting the “Good Design” shows held in that era at the Museum of Modern Art. Carpenter was particularly taken with the hand-turned wooden bowls by James Prestini and decided he wanted to make objects himself. To get far from New York, he drove to San Francisco at age 28, bought a lathe and, with the help of a G.I. Bill small-business stipend, opened a woodworking shop in the Mission District. Carpenter started out making bowls, sold through local high-end retailers such as Geary’s. His skills improved, and within a few years Carpenter had moved to the coastal town of Bolinas, California, where he built furniture on commission. His national reputation was sealed when in 1972 — somewhat to Carpenter’s own surprise — his designs were shown by the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in the exhibition “Woodworks,” alongside those of Nakashima, Maloof, Castle and the Philadelphia-area craftsman Wharton Esherick. Carpenter defined a new design aesthetic now known as the “California roundover” — a style characterized by flowing lines and gently-contoured edges that make wood feel almost supple to the touch. The graceful and comfortable Wishbone chair, so named for the tapered supports that form its legs, is Carpenter’s signature design. The chairs, typically made of black walnut, are usually priced in the range of $20,000 a piece. Because of its simplicity and economy of materials, Carpenter’s furniture works well in any informal, unfussy decor — though it is particularly striking in a modern environment. As you will see on these pages, the work of Arthur Espenet Carpenter is both friendly and exquisite. The quality of its craftsmanship is impeccable, and it exudes the gentle warmth of the lovingly handmade object.
to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
15
305
162
149
135
Creator: Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional Table
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional Table in solid birch trapezoidal top with turned oak legs that pierce the top and are exposed as a design detail.
Signed on underside...
Category
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Burl
Related Items
Donald Deskey Style Round Three Tier Maple Occasional Table
By Donald Deskey
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Art Moderne GIlbert Rhode Style Round Maple Three Tier Corner Table. Featuring a two layer solid staved Maple circular surface, two Maple shelves (7.5H between each level), with fou...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Maple
3 Legged Round Side Table, Pizza Saver
By Louis Lim
Located in New York, NY
Pizza table
Measures: 17"diameter x 17" height
White lacquered plywood and maple side tables, inspired by pizza savers. The offset leg design allow thi...
Category
2010s American Other Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Plywood
Swedish Vintage Wooden Three Legged Stool, Side Table, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rustic wooden bohemian style stool or side table with three legs. Fully stable with patina and signs of wear and age. Manufactured in Sweden...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Vaughn Occasional Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Hand applied lacquer paired with richly stained walnut.
Color options:
Emerald, Aubergine, Ocean (or send your custom choice)
Other options:
Choose between either mostly ...
Category
2010s American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Walnut, Lacquer
Vaughn Occasional Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Hand applied lacquer paired with richly stained walnut.
Color options:
Emerald, Aubergine, Ocean (or send your custom choice)
Other options:
Choose between either mostly lacquer...
Category
2010s American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Walnut, Lacquer
Three-Tier Neoclassical Mahogany Occasional Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Mahogany occasional table.
Neoclassical style with three shelves supported on brass columns with ball finials. On casters.
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Brass
Vaughn Occasional Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Hand applied lacquer paired with richly stained walnut.
Color options:
Emerald, Aubergine, Ocean (or send your custom choice)
Other options:
Choose between either mostly lacquer...
Category
2010s American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Walnut, Lacquer
Italian Three Legged Occasional Table
Located in Hanover, MA
Charming Italian occasional tripod table from 1960 composed of three brass tapering legs around a triangular center with colorful ename...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Brass, Metal
Beautiful Antique Three-Legged Side Table Rosewood Claw Feet
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful antique three-legged side table rosewood claw feet. Please check out all the details.
Category
1910s American Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Wood
Italian Three-Legged Corner Table with Faux Marble Painted Top, Mid-20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian corner table with faux marble painted top from the mid-20th century. This vintage table from Italy has a primarily triangular-shaped body, with top which bows outwards at front. The triangular shape makes it easily used within a corner space. The apron has nicely carved details and vertical rinceaux accents above each leg. The table is raised upon three squared and tapering legs. This Italian mid-century corner table...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Wood
H 33.75 in W 27 in D 19 in
Victorian Square Three-Tier Stand Corner Lamp Occasional Table Stand
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice shape and proportions Victorian stand in very good structural and cosmetic condition.
Category
20th Century American Victorian Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
Henredon Regency Style Three-Tier Occasional Side Table
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Regency style walnut three-tier occasional side table
By Henredon
USA, Circa 1970s
Measures: 26.25"W x 26.25"D x 23"H.
Very good original vintage c...
Category
1970s American Regency Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
Previously Available Items
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut Table with Drawer
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in San Mateo, CA
Side table in walnut by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, (1920-2006). This table has a single drawer below the top. The solid walnut sides and top are joined with dovetail joints. The runne...
Category
1970s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Table
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A modernist side table in oak burl by Arthur Espenet Carpenter III.
Category
20th Century American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Tables
Materials
Oak
Arthur Espenet Carpenter side tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Arthur Espenet Carpenter side tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arthur Espenet Carpenter side tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter side tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,500 and can go as high as $18,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,750.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Room Tables
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Room Sets
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes